What is "Boolin'"?

To many of you, “bool” or “boolin’” has become a common word in your vocabulary. However, another group of you haven’t the slightest idea of what that silly word means. If you are in the second group, this blog post is for you. This entry will define “boolin’”,show you its many meanings, and give real world examples of how to bool.

The Urban Dictionary defines bool as this: “to hang out, relax, do nothing, or otherwise wait with little action; chill.” This is an accurate and popular definition of the term. However, words and their meanings are always subject to interpretation. To us, “bool” also means this: “to hang out or chill without plans, or a certain direction.” This implies that boolin’ doesn’t necessarily require the absence of action. People can do things and still be boolin’. Our definition of boolin’ just suggests that there is a sense of looseness and freedom to the occasion. A “hakuna matata” or “no worries” sort of vibe, if you will. Simply put, it is hanging out with your people with or without a mission. The only purpose is to have a good time.

“Wanna go bool?” said Claire on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

“Sure! I’ll get my keys” said Andrew.

There are different versions of bool. It is a very high-context verb. The meaning is mostly determined by the number of people in the party, and the relationship they have with each other. For example, “boolin’ with the boys” has an entirely different vibe than “squad boolin’” (This is assuming that the squad contains both genders). Because behavior and disclosure rules change depending on the existing relationships with the involved individuals.

Boolin’ with the boys (or girls) can range anywhere from a lazy afternoon on the couch with little action, to a rampage of rambunctious behaviors, or what some call “returning to monke”. Squad boolin’ is a lot more chill. It can get wild, but never to the extremes of the first example. Squad boolin’ is when a group will share their creative energy in an open and friendly environment. Finally, there is boolin by yourself. This version strays away from the definition of the word, but it applies in concept. Sometimes, you need to recharge your social batteries and bool on your own. This is the most chill type of boolin’.

People bool all the time. You probably go boolin’ yourself, and you may just not have a name for it. You can bool with your friends, acquaintances, or even your family. For example, a group of our friends sometimes go boolin’ at a park. We bring hammocks, frisbees, instruments, you name it. Whatever we feel like doing, we do. There isn’t a plan besides spending time together.

At Florida College, there are so many opportunities to go boolin’. That is part of why we like it here. You can always grab a friend and say “let's go boolin’” and that is all that needs to be said; the rest just falls into place.